Reinforced textile strap
A flexible reinforced strap for use with baggage as a level of security against theft includes a plurality of warp threads, one or more flexible reinforcing members, and a weft thread. The flexible reinforced strap is of a multi-layered construction, including an intermediate layer situated between a top and a bottom layer. The plurality of warp threads and the one or more flexible reinforcing members are arranged within the plurality of layers, and a weft thread is interwoven to form the flexible reinforced strap.
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This application claims the benefit under Title 35, U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/237,308, entitled REINFORCED TEXTILE STRAP, filed Oct. 5, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELDEmbodiments of the present invention relate generally to reinforced textile straps for use with baggage as a level of security against theft.
BACKGROUNDThe use of wire cable, or like reinforcements, in the construction of flexible carrying straps for baggage provides an increased level of security against theft, particularly that achieved by slicing the strap.
Previous wire reinforcement strap constructions have proven to be complex constructions, requiring a complicated, multi-staged manufacturing process. It will be understood that although such designs provide for conventional sewing manufacturing techniques, the number of separate parts and manufacturing steps required tends to increase the manufacturing costs in straps of this type.
Additionally, due primarily to the size and shape of the strap after having the wire reinforcement incorporated therein, these previous wire reinforced strap constructions often require custom hardware (e.g., buckles and the like) for incorporation into the products they seek to protect. Perhaps more alarming, it is common for the wire cable reinforcement to abrade the surrounding strap material, causing a dissatisfactory reduction in life of the strap.
Improvement of reinforced straps for securing baggage against theft is therefore needed. It is an object of the present disclosure to overcome the above-discussed disadvantages and problems, and more generally to provide a flexible reinforced textile strap.
SUMMARYSome embodiments relate to a flexible reinforced strap comprising a plurality of layers, the plurality of layers including: a first side layer including a plurality of first warp threads, a second side layer including a plurality of second warp threads, and at least one intermediate layer situated between the first side layer and the second side layer, the at least one intermediate layer including a flexible reinforcing member and a plurality of third warp threads, and a weft thread, the weft thread being interwoven with one or more of the warp threads of each of the plurality of layer such that the flexible reinforcing member is retained between the first side layer and the second side layer, and such that the flexible reinforcing member is retained between two or more of the plurality of third warp threads.
In some embodiments, the flexible reinforced strap further including a plurality of longitudinal edges, an upper face, and a lower face, wherein the weft thread is interwoven such that a first one of the plurality of third warp threads is situated between a first one of the plurality of longitudinal edges and the flexible reinforcing member and such that at second one on the plurality of third warp threads is situated between a second one of the plurality of longitudinal edges and the flexible reinforcing member.
In some embodiments, at least one intermediate layer of the flexible reinforced strap includes a plurality of flexible reinforcing members.
In some embodiments, the plurality of layers of the flexible reinforced strap includes a plurality of intermediate layers, and at least one of the plurality of intermediate layers includes the flexible reinforcing member.
In some embodiments, the plurality of first warp threads and the plurality of second warp threads of the flexible reinforced strap are made of a synthetic material.
In some embodiments, the first side layer of the flexible reinforced strap includes a plurality of fourth warp threads made of a high-modulus material having an abrasion resistance in excess of an abrasion resistance of the first warp threads.
In some embodiments, the second side layer of the flexible reinforced strap includes a plurality of fifth warp threads made of a high-modulus material having in excess of an abrasion resistance of the second warp threads.
In some embodiments, the weft thread of the flexible reinforced strap is interwoven such that the flexible reinforcing member is situated between one or more of the fourth warp threads of the first side layer and one or more of the fifth warp threads of the second side layer.
In some embodiments, the flexible reinforcing member of the flexible reinforced strap is concealed.
In some embodiments, the flexible reinforcing member of the flexible reinforced strap is a multi-stranded wire cable.
In some embodiments, the multi-stranded wire cable of the flexible reinforced strap is twisted.
In some embodiments, the multi-stranded wire cable of the flexible reinforced strap is coated in plastic.
In some embodiments, the weft thread of the flexible reinforced strap is interwoven with the plurality of warp threads such that the flexible reinforced strap has a thickness and a width greater than the thickness.
In some embodiments, the weft thread of the flexible reinforced strap is a single continuous weft thread.
Some embodiments relate to a flexible strap comprising: a first plurality of warp threads and a second plurality of warp threads, a flexible reinforcing member, and a single weft thread interwoven with one or more warp threads of the first plurality of warp threads and one or more warp threads of the second plurality of warp threads such that the flexible reinforcing member is situated between at least one warp thread of the first plurality of warp threads and at least one warp thread of the second plurality of warp threads, and such that at least one warp thread is situated between a first longitudinal edge of the flexible strap, and such that at least one warp thread is situated between a second longitudinal edge of the flexible strap.
In some embodiments, one or more of the warp threads of the first plurality of warp threads of the flexible strap are high-modulus synthetic threads having an abrasion resistance that exceeds and abrasion resistance of each of the warp threads of the second plurality of warp threads.
In some embodiments, the weft thread of the flexible strap is a single continuous weft thread.
In some embodiments, the first flexible reinforcing member of the third layer of the flexible strap is a multi-stranded wire cable.
In some embodiments, the multi-stranded wire cable of the flexible strap is a twisted wire cable made of stainless steel.
In some embodiments, the multi-stranded wire cable of the flexible strap is coated with plastic.
While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONEmbodiments of the present invention relate generally to reinforced textile straps, such as flexible reinforced straps for use with baggage as a level of security against theft. Referring to the drawings,
In one embodiment, the flexible reinforced strap 100 includes a plurality of warp threads 200, each warp thread of the plurality of warp threads 200 being the same material. In some embodiments, the warp threads are made of natural or synthetic thread. In one embodiment, the synthetic threads may include heat fusible synthetic threads. Additionally, in one embodiment, the synthetic threads may include high-modulus synthetic threads that are resistant to abrasion. In various embodiments, the plurality of warp threads 200 includes one or more warp threads made of a different material relative to one or more other warp threads of the plurality of warp threads 200. For example, in one embodiment, the plurality of warp threads 200 includes a first warp thread made of a first material (such as a first synthetic thread) and a second warp thread made of a second material (such as a second, different synthetic thread). In one such embodiment, the second synthetic thread is more resistant to abrasion than the first synthetic thread. It should be appreciated that the plurality of warp threads 200 may encompass any number of differing synthetic threads.
In various embodiments, the flexible reinforcing member 300 serves to reinforce the strap against cutting (e.g., being cut by a blade). In one embodiment, the flexible reinforcing member 300 is a wire cable (e.g., a multi-stranded twisted wire cable). Alternatively, in other embodiments, other reinforcing members may be utilized. For example, in one alternative embodiment, composite multifilament threads, such as para-aramid fibers or carbon nanotubes, may be utilized in the construction of the flexible reinforcing member 300. In various embodiments, the flexible reinforcing member 300 is sheathed or coated with plastic, or with a similar material. In some embodiments, such a sheathing or coating provides for protection of the flexible reinforcing member. Additionally, in certain embodiments, such a sheathing or coating provides for a reduction in the potential for abrasion of the warp and weft thread surrounding the flexible reinforcing member 300.
In one embodiment, the flexible reinforced strap 100 is generally oblong, having a width substantially greater than its thickness (as illustrated in
In various embodiments, each layer of the multi-layer construction includes a plurality of warp threads 200, represented in
In various embodiments, the flexible reinforced strap 100 is constructed such that the flexible reinforcing member 300 is surrounded by warp threads 202. For example, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, a single, continuous weft thread (represented in
Referring specifically to the illustrated embodiment of
During this first pass, while still situated between the first longitudinal edge 106 and the first flexible reinforcing member 300(a), the weft thread 400 returns to the bottom layer 510. The weft thread 400 then travels across a plurality of the warp threads 200 of the bottom layer 510 before exiting the bottom layer 510 and traveling through the intermediate layer 520 to the top layer 530. For example, as illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment of
In the illustrated embodiment of
Referring now to
Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment of
The weft thread 400 then travels across a plurality of the warp threads 200 of the top layer 530 before exiting the top layer 530 and traveling through the intermediate layer 520 to the bottom layer 510. For example, as illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment of
In the illustrated embodiment of
In one embodiment, above-discussed weaving procedure is repeated until the desired length of the flexible reinforced strap 100 is achieved. It should be appreciated that during such a repetition, each subsequent pass is mirror to the immediately preceding pass. For example, during repetition, the third pass (which is identical to the first pass) is mirror to the second pass, the fourth pass (which is identical to the second pass) is mirror to the third pass, the fifth pass (which is identical to the first and third passes) is mirror to the forth pass, and so on.
The terms “first pass” and “second pass” as used herein are utilized to reference to the embodiments illustrated herein, and are not meant limit on the orientation or timing of the weft thread through the layers of the flexible reinforced strap during manufacturing. Instead, it should be appreciated that the weft thread may pass above, or alternatively below, the flexible reinforcing members during a first pass of the weft thread from a first longitudinal edge to an opposing longitudinal edge. Moreover, while the above- and below-discussed example embodiments each illustrate the weft thread 400 passing on the same side of the flexible reinforcing member (during a given pass of the weft thread), it should be appreciated that, for a given pass of the weft thread 400, the weft thread may pass opposing sides of the flexible reinforcing members. For example, if the weft thread 400 passes above the first flexible reinforcing member 300(a) on a given pass, then the weft thread 400 passes below the second flexible reinforcing member 300(b) on that same pass.
By passing the weft thread 400 through the plurality of layers of warp thread 200 as disclosed herein, the flexible reinforcing member 300 can be woven into the flexible reinforced strap during manufacture without requiring any additional post construction stitching or weaving. Moreover, by passing the weft thread 400 through the plurality of layers of warp thread 200 in the manner disclosed herein, the warp threads 200 operate together with the weft thread 400 to envelop or conceal the flexible reinforcing member 300 within the flexible reinforced strap and prevent its lateral movement therein. Finally, where multiple flexible reinforcing members 300 are incorporated, by passing the weft thread 400 through the plurality of layers of warp thread 200 in the manner disclosed herein, the warp threads 200 operate together with the weft thread 400 to envelop the flexible reinforcing members 300 within the flexible reinforced strap and maintain their separation. These features assist in helping the flexible strap maintain a generally consistent lateral cross-section during use, and avoid the potential for one flexible reinforcing member 300 to overly the other in a manner that may cause discomfort and localized wear.
While the flexible reinforced strap 100 of the above-discussed embodiments includes a multi-layered construction comprising a plurality of warp threads made of the same material, in various alternative embodiments, one or more layers of the multi-layered construction include one or more warp threads made of a different material. For example, referring now to
As illustrated in the alternative example embodiments of
Additionally, in one alternative embodiment, the flexible reinforced strap 100 is constructed such that the flexible reinforcing member 300 is surrounded by warp threads (e.g., 202 and/or 204). For example, as illustrated in
Like the above-discussed embodiments regarding
Thus, as illustrated in
Similarly, in these alternative embodiments, warp threads 202(d), 202(f), and 202(h) (
Similar differences exist with regard to the second pass in these alternative embodiments. For example, in these alternative embodiments, warp threads 202(u), 202(s), and 202(g) (
Similarly, in these alternative embodiments, warp threads 202(i), 202(g), and 202(e) (see
In one alternative embodiment, the weft thread additionally interweaves one of more of the plurality of warp threads in the intermediate layer with one or more of the warp threads in the top and/or bottom layer. For example, referring to the illustrated embodiments of
On the first pass, while the weft thread is between the first longitudinal edge 106 and a first one of the flexible reinforcing members 300(a), the weft thread 400 travels through the warp threads 200 of the intermediate and top layers one or more times such that one or more warp threads 200 from each of the intermediate and top layer are captured by the weft thread 400 and are situated between a first longitudinal edge 106 and the flexible reinforcing member 300(a). For example, as illustrated in
During this first pass, while still situated between the first longitudinal edge 106 and the first flexible reinforcing member 300(a), the weft thread 400 travels across a plurality of the warp threads 200 of the top layer 530 before exiting the top layer 530 and again interweaving one or more warp threads of the intermediate layer 520. For example, as illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment of
In the illustrated embodiment of
Referring now to
Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment of
During this second pass, while still situated between the second longitudinal edge 108 and the second flexible reinforcing member 300(b), the weft thread 400 travels across a plurality of the warp threads 200 of the bottom layer 510 before exiting the bottom layer 510 and again interweaving one or more warp threads of the intermediate layer 520 with one or more warp threads 200 of the bottom layer 510. For example, as illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment of
In the illustrated embodiment of
While the above-discussed embodiments and the illustrations of
Additionally, while the above-discussed embodiments and the illustrations of
Additionally, while the above-discussed embodiments and the illustrations of
Additionally, any desired number of warp threads 200 may be situated between a flexible reinforcing member 300 and a corresponding one of the longitudinal sides without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Likewise, any desired number of warp threads 200 may be situated between the flexible reinforcing members 300 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
Finally, while a plurality of flexible reinforcing members 300(a) and 300(b) are referenced in the above-discussed embodiments and the illustrations of
Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. A flexible reinforced strap having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, the flexible reinforced strap comprising:
- a plurality of layers, the plurality of layers including:
- a first side layer including a plurality of first warp threads,
- a second side layer including a plurality of second warp threads, and
- at least one intermediate layer situated between the first side layer and the second side layer, the at least one intermediate layer including a flexible reinforcing member extending in a warp direction and a plurality of third warp threads, and
- a weft thread, the weft thread being interwoven with one or more of the warp threads of each of the plurality of layers to form the flexible reinforced strap, wherein in a first region defined between the first longitudinal edge and the flexible reinforcing member the weft thread follows a first path that traverses between the first and second layers by extending through a first portion of the intermediate layer, and wherein in a second region defined between the second longitudinal edge and the flexible reinforcing member the weft thread follows a second path that traverses between the first and second layers by extending through a second portion of the intermediate layer, and wherein in a third region defined between the first and second regions the weft thread follows a third path different from the first and second paths that includes the weft thread being interwoven with multiple consecutive warp threads of one of the first and second side layers, such that the flexible reinforcing member is retained between the first side layer and the second side layer, and such that the flexible reinforcing member is retained between two or more of the plurality of third warp threads.
2. The flexible reinforced strap of claim 1, further including an upper face, and a lower face, wherein the weft thread is interwoven such that a first one of the plurality of third warp threads is situated between the first longitudinal edge and the flexible reinforcing member and such that a second one on the plurality of third warp threads is situated between the second longitudinal edge and the flexible reinforcing member.
3. The flexible reinforced strap of claim 1, wherein the at least one intermediate layer includes a plurality of flexible reinforcing members.
4. The flexible reinforced strap of claim 1, wherein the plurality of layers includes a plurality of intermediate layers, and at least one of the plurality of intermediate layers includes the flexible reinforcing member.
5. The flexible reinforced strap of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first warp threads and the plurality of second warp threads are made of a synthetic material.
6. The flexible reinforced strap of claim 1, wherein the first side layer includes a plurality of fourth warp threads made of a first material having a modulus and an abrasion resistance in excess of a modulus and an abrasion resistance of the first warp threads, and wherein the second side layer includes a plurality of fifth warp threads made of the first material, the modulus and the abrasion resistance of the first material exceeding a modulus and an abrasion resistance of the second warp threads.
7. The flexible reinforced strap of claim 1, wherein the first path and the second path are different paths.
8. The flexible reinforced strap of claim 6, wherein the weft thread is interwoven such that the flexible reinforcing member is situated within the intermediate layer between one or more of the fourth warp threads of the first side layer and one or more of the fifth warp threads of the second side layer.
9. The flexible reinforced strap of claim 1, wherein the flexible reinforcing member is concealed.
10. The flexible reinforced strap of claim 1, wherein the flexible reinforcing member is a multi-stranded wire cable.
11. The flexible reinforced strap of claim 10, wherein the multi-stranded wire cable is twisted.
12. The flexible reinforced strap of claim 11, wherein the multi-stranded wire cable is coated in plastic.
13. The flexible reinforced strap of claim 1, wherein the weft thread is interwoven with the plurality of warp threads such that the flexible reinforced strap has a thickness and a width greater than the thickness.
14. The flexible reinforced strap of claim 1, wherein the weft thread is a single continuous weft thread.
15. A flexible strap comprising:
- a first plurality of warp threads forming a first layer and a second plurality of warp threads forming a second layer,
- a flexible reinforcing member extending in a warp direction, and
- a single weft thread interwoven with one or more warp threads of the first plurality of warp threads and one or more warp threads of the second plurality of warp threads such that the flexible reinforcing member is situated between at least one warp thread of the first plurality of warp threads and at least one warp thread of the second plurality of warp threads, and such that at least one warp thread is situated between a first longitudinal edge of the flexible strap and the flexible reinforcing member, and such that at least one warp thread is situated between a second longitudinal edge of the flexible strap and the flexible reinforcing member, wherein in a first region defined between a longitudinal plane of the flexible reinforcing member and the first longitudinal edge the weft thread follows a first path that traverses between the first and second layers along a first side of the flexible reinforcing member, and wherein in a second region defined between the longitudinal plane of the flexible reinforcing member and the second longitudinal edge the weft thread follows a second path that traverses between the first and second layers along a second side of the flexible reinforcing member opposite the first side, and wherein in a third region defined between the first and second regions the weft thread follows a third path different from the first and second paths that includes the weft thread being interwoven with multiple consecutive warp threads of one of the first and second layers.
16. The flexible strap of claim 15, wherein one or more of the warp threads of the first plurality of warp threads are synthetic threads having a modulus and an abrasion resistance that exceeds a modulus and an abrasion resistance of each of the warp threads of the second plurality of warp threads.
17. The flexible strap of claim 15, wherein the weft thread is a single continuous weft thread.
18. The flexible strap of claim 15, wherein the first flexible reinforcing member of the third layer is a multi-stranded wire cable.
19. The flexible strap of claim 18, wherein the multi-stranded wire cable is a twisted wire cable made of stainless steel.
20. The flexible strap of claim 18, wherein the multi-stranded wire cable is coated with plastic.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 28, 2015
Date of Patent: Mar 10, 2020
Patent Publication Number: 20170095062
Assignee: MRM HK Limited (Hong Kong)
Inventors: Yim Cheung Au (Hong Kong), Jensen Pauwels (Hong Kong)
Primary Examiner: Cheryl Juska
Application Number: 14/925,674
International Classification: A45F 3/14 (20060101); B32B 5/02 (20060101); B32B 5/26 (20060101); A45C 13/30 (20060101); A45C 13/20 (20060101); B32B 5/06 (20060101); B32B 5/04 (20060101); B32B 5/08 (20060101); B32B 5/10 (20060101); D03D 1/00 (20060101); D03D 15/02 (20060101);